Apparatus and method for setting and drying moisture settable ink



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.5. Q HARRIS, JR., ET A1. 3332 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SETTING AND DRYING MOISTURE SETTABLE INK Filed. May 1955 5 Sheetsmhee l INVENTORS #MES a. #Mw/5 JQ. /mfw A. @A mais; @Dm 5. KEN/DALL am w56 J. Hmmm, m.. ET AL, 257319732 PPRATUS AND METHOD FOR SETTING AND DRYING MQISTURE SETTABLE INK Filed may 19? 1955 3 Sheesu'sheet 2 .IN VEN TORS JAMES amm/5m afl/035W A. @Amb/5 @uw c. ,frm/MAL @EL m@ Hmmm@ mum.. 297335332 APPRTUS AND METHOD FOR SETTING ND DRYING MOISTURE SETTBLE INK Filed Mag; 19, 1955 3 Sheetslwat 3 APPARATUS AND METHD FOR SETTING AND DRYING MQISTURE SETTABLE Il\lK Application May 19, 1953, Serial No. 355,964 12 Claims. (Cl. 34 1S) This invention relates to the setting and drying of mois` ture settable ink which has been printed on a web of material such as paper; and more particularly to a type of apparatus designed for the method of rst eecting setting of such ink by moisture, and as step subsequently drying the ink. This method is disclosed more completely in a one of the co-assignees hereof, by Burt C. Kendall and Mossom A. Burr, for Method of Setting and Drying Moisture Settable Ink, Serial No. 356,058, filed May 19, 1953. The applicant, Burt C. Kendall hereof is also a ctn-applicant of such application.

As is disclosed in the co-pending application, moisture settable inks are well known. They generally contain a glycol as a hydroscopic solvent, such as diethylene glycol, a resinous material, such as a maleic acid type resin, as a binder, and the usual ink pigments. They are commonly employed for printing on various types of papers, for example, frozen food and bread wrappers which are generally sulphite papers. When such type of ink is applied to the paper, it can be rapidly set to a non-smudging and non-otf-setting condition by supplying moisture thereto. This causes the glycol solvent in the ink to take up a sutcient amount of water; and when this occurs, the binder is rendered insoluble in the solvent and water, resulting in precipitation of the binder and pigment with consequent setting of the ink to a firm mass. Examples of such inks are known as Hydry inks by General Printing Ink Corporation, and Diene Vapo Set inks by International Printing Ink Co.

Heretofore, in the art of printing a paper web with such ink, apparatus has been employed which simultaneously supplies the moisture and eifects drying in the same chamber or zone, and at the same time. The setting of the ink under such conditions has been found not to be complete because the heat of drying effects evaporation of the moisture and consequently does not give the moisture sufhcient time to act.

Summarizing this invention, it is designed to provide one chamber in which the ink on a moving web ofpaper or the like is first set by moisture supplied to the charnber; and then after the ink has set, the moving web is then dried as a separate step in an independentV drying chamber which is provided with drying means therein. By providing the ink setting chamber and the independent drying chamber, the ink can be completely set to a firm state prior to drying, and then the subsequent, drying chamber eiects the drying of the firmly set ink. This results in an improved printed product.

Steam is employed to supply the moisture in the ink setting chamber which is open to the atmosphere. Consequently the steam may condense as discrete water particles on inside wall portions of the apparatus in the ink setting chamber. This condensed steam (water) may result in dripping on the paper causing excessive wetting which is undesirable. To preclude condensaton'of the steam on the portions of the apparatus in the ink setting chamber, a passageway is provided therein through which nited States Patent substantially the entire the hot gas passageway extending width and length of the ink setting the steam supply means in the ink In the embodiment of the invention gas passageway forms the top of the hot gas is conducted;

chamber and covering setting chamber. illustrated, the hot ink setting chamber.

Hot gases are supplied in the drying chamber to effect the drying; and the above described hot gas passageway is in communication with the drying chamber so that some of the hot gas from the drying chamber may be conducted through the passageway. The drying chamber is provided with hot gas circulating means, and also distributing means to direct such gas against the entire surface of the inked paper moving through the drying chamber, to thus obtain uniform drying.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken in planes indicated by line 2 2 in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a transverse indicated by line 3 3 in Fig. 4 i-s a transverse vertical section taken in a plane indicated by line 4 4 in Fig. l; y

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view through a portion of inverted gas distributing troughs in the drying chamber of the apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, partly in elevation and partly broken away to disclose more clearly the construction, of web supporting means in the apparatus.

Fig. 7 i-s a fragmentary elevational view, partly broken away to disclose more clearly the construction, of an adjustable damper for controlling ow of gas from the drying chamber into the ink setting chamber.

The apparatus comprises ink settingchamber 2 and independent drying chamber 3 adjacent thereto both having suitable insulated walls 4; the chambers being mounted on a suitable frame-work 6. A continuously moving web of paper 7 is conducted through the entire apparatus from the printing press (not shown) in which the ink is applied to the upper surface of the paper with reference to Fig. l. Movement of the paper through the apparatus is eected by suitable conventional winding mechanism (not shown) which forms no part of the apparatus.

One end of ink setting chamber 2 is provided with a relatively narrow entrance 3 for the paper, the entrance being shielded by adjustable shield means 9. At its opposite end, chamber 2 is provided with anexit 11 leading into drying chamber 3 which has a similarly shielded paper exit 12 through which the dried paper passes. A suitable idler roller 13 is provided at each of entrance S and exit 12. The paper is supported in the apparatus as it is continuously moved therethrough, by means of spaced apart transversely extending cross bars 14 over which the web of paper slides as it is moved.

With reference to Figs. 4 and 6, each of bars i4 is tubular, and is supported on its ends by means of rods 16 fitting within the bar. Intermediate its ends, each cross bar 14 is ixedly secured by welding to a saddle 17 iixedly mounted at the upper end of a rod 13 which rests on an adjustable screw 18' enabling the vertical position or" the cross bar to be adjusted within desired limits; the screw being locked in the position by means of lock nut 19 and rods 16 being mounted on vertically adjustable brackets 20.

Means is provided for initially threading a web of paper through the apparatus when this is desired. Such means comprises a pair of endless chains 21 each of which is mounted at a side of the apparatus and passes over suitable sprockets 22 at the two ends of the apparatus. A pair of sprockets at one end of the apparatus is mountvertical section taken Fig. l;

in a plane narrowness of spaces 47 between troughs 44, the gas is directed at a relatively high velocity against the web in the form of spaced sheets, making for efficacious and rapid drying.

The gas forced through spaces 47 expands and is pocketed in the inverted troughs 44. Since such troughs are open at their opposite ends 48, the gas pocketed in the troughs is then exhausted through such open ends 48 and into the end openings 43 of the plenum, by means of fan 56 so that the gas is continuously heated and recirculated. The flow of gas is indicated by direction arrows.

A portion of the gas in drying chamber 3 is continuously withdrawn into passageway 32 by the fan (not shown) connected to stack 37. To control the draft between drying chamber 3 and passageway 32, a conventional transversely extending slidably mounted damper 59 is provided at the location where passageway 32 communicates with chamber 3. Damper 59 has a plurality of ports 61 adapted to cooperate with ports 62 in the wall adjacent the entrance to passageway 32. The damper is adjustable from the outside of the apparatus by means of adjusting rod 63.

A fresh air inlet 64 controlled by damper 66 communicates with one end of plenum 42; and adjacent the opposite end of the plenum, a removable inspection door 68 is provided in the wall of the apparatus. Also a steam injection pipe 6d is provided in plenum to introduce steam therein when desired for obtaining control of humidity. in this connection, sufficient steam is introduced into the plenum from time to time as required to prevent excessive drying out of the paper. Suitable slide dampers 69 of a type similar to damper 59 are also provided in drying chamber 3 below the path of travelling web. By adjustment of various dampers, the desired draft and recirculating conditions can be obtained; and in this connection, the dampers are so regulated that there is an indraft all the time through entrance 8 and exit 12.

As is explained more fully in the aforementioned copending application, in which the method of treatment of the inked web paper is claimed, the ink setting chamber is maintained in an atmosphere of steam which is maintained against condensation by the hot gases in passageway 32; the temperature of gas in such passageway being around 300 F. to 350 F., while the temperature of hot gas in the drying chamber 3 approximately 400 F. to 450 F. The residence time of the paper in each of the chambers is approximately one second. Conventional automatic controls and temperature indicating mechanisms (not shown because they form no `part of the present invention) can be provided with the apparatus.

We claim:

l. Apparatus for setting moisture settable ink on a moving web of material comprising an ink setting chamber, means in said ink setting chamber for supplying steam therein, an independent drying chamber, means in said drying chamber for supplying hot gas therein, a passageway in and extending through said ink setting chamber communicating with said drying chamber for conducting hot gas from said drying chamber through said ink setting chamber to prevent condensation of the steam, and means for supporting said web as it is moved through said chambers.

2. Apparatus for setting moisture settable ink on a moving web of material comprising an ink setting chamber, pipes in said ink setting chamber for supplying steam therein, an independent drying chamber, means in said drying chamber for supplying hot gas therein, a passageway in said ink setting chamber over said pipes and communicating with said drying chamber for conducting hot gas from said drying chamber through said ink setting chamber, and means for supporting said web as it is moved through said chambers.

3. Apparatus for setting moisture settable ink on a moving web of material comprising an ink setting chamber, an independent drying chamber, means for supporting said web as it is moved through said chambers, piping in said ink setting chamber positioned relatively closely adjacent and transversely of said web for supplying steam to said web, means in said drying chamber for supplying hot gas therein, and a passageway in said ink setting chamber over said piping and communicating with said drying chamber for conducting hot gas from said drying chamber through said ink setting chamber.

4. Apparatus for setting moisture settable ink on a moving web of material comprising an ink setting chamber, an independent drying chamber, means for supporting said web as it is moved through said chambers, piping in said ink setting chamber positioned relatively closely adjacent and transversely of said web for supplying steam to said web, means in said drying chamber for supplying hot gas therein, and a passageway in said ink setting chamber over said piping and communicating with said drying chamber for conducting hot gas from said drying chamber through said ink setting chamber, said passageway extending substantially the entire Width and length of said ink setting chamber with opposite ends thereof closely adjacent said web, and the side of said passageway adjacent said web being in close proximity thereto.

5. Apparatus for setting moisture settable ink on a moving web of material comprising an ink setting chamber having an entrance for the web at one end thereof and an exit for the web at the opposite end, an independent drying chamber adjacent said ink setting chamber and having an entrance for the web communicating with said exit, means for supporting said web as it is moved through said chambers, piping in said ink setting chamber adjacent the entrance thereof positioned at each side of and relatively closely adjacent and transversely of said web for supplying steam to said web, additional piping in said ink setting chamber adjacent the exit thereof positioned over and transversely of said web for supplying steam to said web, means in said drying chamber for supplying hot gas therein, and a passageway in said ink setting chamber over all of said piping and communicating with said drying chamber for conducting hot gas from said drying chamber through said ink setting chamber.

6. Apparatus for setting moisture settable ink on a moving web of material comprising an ink setting chamber having an entrance for the web at one end thereof and an exit for the web at the opposite end, an independent drying chamber adjacent said ink setting chamber and having an entrance for the web communicating with said exit, means for supporting said web as it is moved through said chambers, piping in said ink setting chamber adjacent the entrance thereof positioned at each side of and relatively closely adjacent and transversely of said web for supplying ;ber, having an entrance for the web at one end thereof and an exit for the web at the opposite end, an independent drying chamber adjacent said ink setting chamber and having an entrance for the web communicating with said exit, means for supporting said web as it is moved through said chambers, piping in said ink setting chamber adjacent the entrance thereof positioned at each side of and relatively closely adjacent and transversely of said web for supplying steam to said web, additional piping in said ink setting chamber adjacent the exit thereof positionedy over and transversely of said web for supplying steam to said web, means in said drying chamber for supplying hot gas therein, a passageway in said ink setting chamber over all of said piping and communicating with said drying chamber for conducting hot gas from said drying chamber through said ink setting chamber, and-means for controlling ow of gas from said dryingl chamber. through said passageway.

8. Apparatus for setting moisture settable ink on a moving web of material comprising an ink setting chamber having moisture supplying means therein, an independent: drying chamber, spaced walls in saidk drying chamber, a plenum open at both ends between said walls, means for introducing heated gas into said plenum, and means for circulating and' recirculating said gas in said drying charnber'comprsing an exhaust fan tov withdraw gas frornsaid; plenum and a plurality of' spaced apart inverted troughs positioned over said web betweensaid spaced apart'walls.

9. Apparatus for setting moisture: settable ink` onl a moving web of material comprising an ink setti-ng cham ber having moisture supplying meansA therein, anindependent drying chamber, spaced walls iny said drying chamber, a plenum open at both ends between said walls, means for introducing heated gas into said plenum', means for circulating and recirculating said gas in said drying chamber comprising an exhaust fan towithdraw gasa-from said plenum and a plurality of' spaced apart inverted troughs positioned over said web between said spaced apart walls; and a passageway in said ink setting chamber communicating with said dryingl chamber for conducting hot gas from said drying chamber through said inl:` setting chamber.

10. The method of preventing steam fromy condensing in an enclosed Zone wherein steam is supplied for eiect ing setting of' moisture settable ink on a'webA of material moving through said zone, and the inked web is subsequently dried in an independent encloseddrying zone, which comprises utilizing hot gas for subsequently drying said web in said drying zone, providing a passageway in said ink' setting zone, andy causing'ilow of some of' said hot gas throughsaid'passageway to prevent condensationl ofv steam in said ink setting zone.y

ll. The method of preventing steam from condensing in an enclosedzone wherein steam is supplied over a web of materialmoving through the zone for eiecting. setting of moisture settable ink on the web, and the inked web is subsequently dried in an independent enclosed drying zone, whichl comprises utilizing hot gas for subsequently drying said web in said drying-zone, providing a passageway over saidweb and. extending through said ink setting zone, and-causing How of some of said het gas through said passageway to prevent condensation of steam.

12. In apparatus of the character described, a drying chamber, means for supporting a moving web of material thereimspa'ced apart walls in said drying chamber, an open ended tubular shaped plenum extending crosswise between said walls, means for introducing heated gas into saidv plenum, a plurality of spaced apart inverted troughs extending crosswise between said walls and positioned over said web and below the bottom of said plenum, and means for circulating and recirculating said gas in said chamber by. withdrawing hot gas from said plenum and directing it between said troughs against the web whereby the gas becomes pocketed' insaid troughs and is withdrawn from theirv ends into the open ended' plenum.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,260,570 Pease Mar. 26, 1918I 1,830,287 Ohlin Nov. 3, 1931 2,133,330 Offen Oct. 18, 1938- 2,l97,463 Bradner Apr. 16, i940'` 2,376,839 Wansker May 22, 1945 2,464,119 Dawson Mar. 8, 1949 2,590,849 Dungler Apr. l, 1952 2,627,667 Gillis Feb. 10, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 179,409 Great Britain May l1, 1922 

11. THE METHOD OF PREVENTING STEAM FROM CONDENSING IN AN ENCLOSED ZONE WHEREIN STEAM IS SUPPLIED OVER A WEB OF MATERIAL MOVING THROUGH THE ZONE FOR EFFECTING SETTING OF MOISTURE SETTABLE INK ON THE WEB, AND THE INKED WEB IS SUBSEQUENTLY DRIED IN AN INDEPENDENT ENCLOSED DRYING ZONE, WHICH COMPRISES UTILIZING HOT GAS FOR SUBSEQUENTLY DRYING SAID WEB IN SAID DRYING ZONE, PROVIDING A PASSAGEWAY OVER SAID WEB AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID INK SETTING ZONE, AND CAUSING FLOW OF SOME OF SAID HOT GAS THROUGH SAID PASSAGEWAY TO PREVENT CONDENSATION OF STEAM 